new to tractors

The Fords are wonderful, but they also seem to have gotten pricey of late. That's fair--- stock,
they have the utility of a wide front and a
3-point hitch.

On the other hand, they don't have a lot of extra
horsepower.

If you're going to use it for work, especially with a bush-hog (rotary mower) there is much to
be said for 'live hydraulics' and 'live PTO.' On
Fords, that means taking a pass on the 8-, 2-, and 9-Ns and looking to a 'Jubilee' or 'NAA.' That raises the price.

On the other hand, these features can be found in a Farmall 300 or 350, or an International
300 or 340 Utility for cheap.

They may lack 'panache' this year, but in 10 years they will be positively 'vintage.'

(I have an IHC 300U, FWIW. Not because it was the perfect choice but because it was the best of what was available locally. Wonderful machine.
You'll be happier if you realize that they are
all pretty neat, and stay out of the 'red versus
green' wars.)

Massey Fersuson 35's are a neat little tractor, and dead reliable. Ford N series like an 8n or even their 600/800/900 series were pretty reliable too.

Farmall A, B, C, H, and M are icons and besides being very reliable, they are easy to work on.

John deere two cylinder tractors are fun too.

If you give us more specifics (what you are using it for, what you want to spend, we can give you better advice).

Welcome to the wonderful world of Yesterday's Tractors....you are certain to make some good friends as part of this venture!

Guys on all these boards are all really helpful so check back if you need help.

Jerry

Them old Fords that you mentioned are nice tractors, but no matter what she gets or wants, someone will know something helpful about it. She could just as easily go by her favorite color, there'll be one that'll probably be just fine.

Versatile, huh? I like that. LOL.

I recently did a job with a guy that has a new articulated New Holland. I didn"t ask what he paid for it, but figure around $200K. I did guess at around 430HP, he corrected me - is 450HP. He also says will hit 12 MPH on the road - that"s movin" and too fast for me in that thing. It"s sharp - big and Ford blue with flames painted on the hood. I knew that New Holland absorbed Ford, but he says Versatile too. I didn"t know that. He used it to drag 2 scrapers, and it cake walked through it. That is a big tractor.

Have a good one.

I have a 1940 9N. I bought mine real reasonable. Flathead engines are a snap to work on ... real easy. Electrical systems are also super simple. Mine was completely rebuilt when I bought it. It was alsready converted to 12v (even came with a stereo Jerry-rigged on it for bush-hogging entertainment). Mine came with a 5ft brush hog, back blade, box scraper, middle buster (single plow), and hitch draw bar. I wouldn't get rid of mine for anything although I must say that newer tractors have live PTO which mine does not. Takes soome getting used to but I operate mine safely so I am comfy with the setup.

While I sometimes wish I had 4 wheel drive and a front end loader, I just can't justify the expense. I just find other ways around what I want to dig or move.

Whatever you end up with, get yourself a shop manual and become real familiar with it. Get to know your parts dealer if you have one locally. Use these boards often as there is lots of knowledge out here. Everyone is real good about giving solid advice.

Drive safe and enjoy.

• Ford 9N, 2N, 8N Discussion Board